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Scott Morrison says ‘we are playing our part’, and given climate change cannot be stopped, Australia needs to focus on bushfire resilience and adaptation

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has rejected suggestions Australia could increase its international advocacy on climate change, saying the country is already “carrying its load” and must adapt to a warmer climate regardless of emissions policy.

After indicating that the government would “evolve” its climate change policies to address heightened concerns about the role of global warming in Australia’s ongoing bushfire crisis, Morrison used a keynote speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday to talk up the government’s current policies, including its emission reduction targets.

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The BBC's Justin Rowlatt explains some of the challenges of doing science in the Antarctic.

Scott Morrison repeats the standard script from the coal lobby in major speech that questioned the value of the Paris Agreement.

The post Morrison questions importance of global climate treaties, to treat symptoms of climate change appeared first on RenewEconomy.

AGL says ageing Liddell plant is so old that it is throwing up new issues that are not found elsewhere in the world. And the Coalition wants it to keep going.

The post AGL says it’s getting harder to keep Liddell coal plant online appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Head of NextEra says cost of wind and solar paired with battery storage will soon beat the cost of coal, gas and nuclear.

The post Big US utility says “near-firm renewables” soon to be cheaper than fossil fuels appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Many holidaymakers faced fuel shortages and choking smoke in the South Coast bush fires, but one Tesla owner explains how his EV handled the emergency and became a safe haven.

The post How a Tesla Model 3 became safe haven in Australian bushfires appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Three Belgian companies to use excess offshore wind power for "green hydrogen" plant in port of Ostend.

The post Trio of Belgian companies announce totally “green hydrogen” plant appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australian winemakers have lost smoke-tainted crops and political leaders apparently cannot solve the Murray Darling crisis. Perhaps climate change is getting the better of us. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Simec Atlantis, the once Australia based and now global developer, owner, and operator of the world’s largest operational tidal stream array, publishes operational data ahead of a major expansion.

The post World’s largest operational tidal stream array generated 13.8GWh in 2019 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Soft demand is keeping gas prices low, the Coalition's bad choice on gas generation, and why community storage makes more sense than household storage.

The post Know your NEM: Soft demand keeps prices low, Coalition’s bad gas play appeared first on RenewEconomy.

AGL signs up for "giant" battery in Queensland located next to new solar farm near Wandoan, as energy minister hails batteries as "game changer" for the grid.

The post AGL signs 15 year deal for “giant” battery in Queensland appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Swedish teenager started a climate change protest that grew into a global movement of millions.

New Zealand team races to make Wellington first city in Southern Hemisphere to boast a zero-emissions electric ferry.

The post New Zealand builds first zero-emissions commuter ferry in southern hemisphere appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

The 2020 COP26 UN climate summit in Glasgow will be the final opportunity for countries to agree to the rulebook for the Paris Agreement’s market-based Article 6, but countries will still press on with carbon market deals over the next decade if negotiations come up short for a third straight year, experts said Tuesday.

The EU is increasingly importing cheap coal-fired power and encouraging the build-out of new carbon emitting facilities that undermine its GHG reduction goals, as the current soft approach of promoting climate policies in neighbouring countries has little effect, according to a new report.

Observations of one enthusiast are revealing new facts about how butterflies get through winter

Winter is the biggest challenge for British butterflies. Most species tackle it in their vulnerable caterpillar form, burrowing into leaf litter, while others such as the purple emperor gamble by lying on an exposed branch with only camouflage for protection.

Five of our 59 species hibernate as adult butterflies, beneath evergreen leaves or in the modern equivalent of a cave: the garden shed.

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Morrison's hope for clear air for his messages is being stymied by the crisis around deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie, as more damaging information emerges against her in the sports rorts affair. Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A proposed 1,000-MW transmission line to bring Quebec hydroelectric power to New York would increase power costs and fail to stimulate carbon abatement, according to a utility-funded report that was dismissed as inaccurate by a project backer.

A law to bind the EU to a 2050 net zero emissions goal should give Brussels powers to act when interim targets are not met, the bloc’s climate chief Frans Timmermans told a conference on Tuesday.